Iraqi weekly named after Comical Ali

The latest weekly to hit newspaper stands in Iraq, Al-Sahhaf, has been named after the wartime information minister who shot to fame with his diatribes against the United States and Britain.

The paper, which hit the newsstands on Saturday, is the 161st title to appear in Iraq since Saddam Hussein was toppled from power on April 9.

"I wanted a name that would attract readers. The name Al-Sahhaf has had an impact in the press," the paper's chief editor, Moayed Neemat Abdel Razzak, said.

Mohammad Said al-Sahhaf, whose name is close to the Arabic for journalist (sahhafi), gained famed for continuing to deny the fall of Baghdad even as US troops and tanks were seen entering the Iraqi capital.

The former minister - who was also known as Comical Ali - now lives in the United Arab Emirates with his family. ");document.write("

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In late April, Dubai-based Al-Arabiya satellite news channel said it was prepared to offer Mr Sahhaf a job.

It has since said it has exclusive rights to his public pronouncements "at least at this stage".